LAC 380 18th January 2011

BALLYMONEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Table of Contents LEISURE

380.1 Presentation – Received

380.2 Minutes – Meeting LAC 379 – 21st Approved December 2010 Matters Arising 2.1 Riverside Park path collapse 379.13 Work commencing 24 January 2.2 Proposed canoe campsite 379.15 Further discussion with CAAN required AMENITIES

380.3 Cloughmills Play Area Bann Valley members, 2 representatives from CAT, 2 residents reps and PSNI to meet.

380.4 Future Agenda Items Councillor Finlay noted.

380.5 Glebeside MUGA Agree, in principle, subject to finance and costings and progress plans and planning permission.

380.6 Amenities Projects 2010-2011 Tender the Ballybogey, Balnamore and Stranocum projects.

380.7 Dervock 2012 Olympic Initiative Director to liaise with Bushvale members to obtain dates & times for the inaugural Joint Working Group meeting.

380.8 Festive Lighting Scheme Deferred, Parties to bring suggestions to the next Committee meeting.

380.9 Ballymoney Cemetery memorial Permission Granted.

380.10 Ballymoney Connect2 Project Information.

380.11 Head of Amenities Information.

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LEISURE SERVICES 380.12 NW200 Presentation Support, in principle, Parties to bring forth suggestions to Rates Meetings.

380.13 Good Relations Grants Grant £350 to Glebe Rangers Football Club.

380.14 Good Relations Sub-Committee Information.

380.15 Causeway Museum Service Deferred, Director to seek information from CBC CMS Consultant review.

380.16 Request for Financial Assistance Grant Ballymoney Motorcycle Club £850.

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BALLYMONEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Minutes of Leisure & Amenities Committee Meeting No 380 in the McKinley Room, Riada House on Tuesday 18th January 2011 at 6.35pm.

IN THE CHAIR: Councillor A Cavlan

PRESENT: Aldermen C Cousley, MBE, Deputy Mayor

Councillors J Finlay R Halliday M McCamphill C McLaughlin A Patterson E Robinson I Stevenson

APOLOGIES: Aldermen F Campbell H Connolly J Simpson Councillors B Kennedy, Mayor P McGuigan T McKeown

IN ATTENDANCE: Director of Central & Leisure Services [Items 1,12-16] Director of Borough Services [Item 2-11] Mervyn Whyte, MBE, Technical Director NW200 Road Race [Item 1] Gerard McAuley, Operations Manager, NW200 Road Race [Item 1] Committee Clerk

380.1 PRESENTATION – NORTH WEST 200

In December 2007 Council agreed to sponsor the 600cc Race at the North West 200 for a 3-year period commencing with the 2008 North West 200. The amount of sponsorship was £9000, £9500 and £10,000 for the 3 years. The & District Motorcycle Club has written to Council seeking sponsorship for the 2011 North West 200 and asking Council to consider a further 3-year agreement.

Committee is invited to consider the request and make a recommendation to Council.

The Chair welcomed Mervyn Whyte and Gerard McAuley, representatives NW200 and invited them to present to committee.

Mervyn Whyte thanked Committee for giving him the opportunity to present. He gave a verbal presentation with the aid of Powerpoint slides (attached as Appendix A) and to close invited questions from Members.

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In response to a question from Alderman Cousley, Mervyn Whyte gave a more detailed breakdown of the £700,000 estimated running cost of the NW200 event to include the payment of riders, the Prize Fund, Insurance costs, toilet and showering facility costs, the cost of the cleaning up after the event, course hardware for example hiring of fencing, first aid costs etc. He advised that the event had run at a loss in 2010.

Councillor Cavlan expressed the view that Members would not have known the running costs if they had not actually been told as they now have been. Councillor Robinson expressed her gratitude for the event for the people of Ballymoney as visitors flock to the Ballymoney Museum and to the Town, which is very beneficial for traders.

In response to a question from Councillor Finlay, the Director of Central and Leisure Services explained that the contribution from Council for 2010 was £10,000 plus the cost of the Trophy.

Mervyn Whyte also commended the Council on the Museum and the Joey and Gardens, Ballymoney is treated as part of the NW200 regarding the Programme branding, and the NW200 Committee are keen to continue to work with Ballymoney Borough Council.

The Chair thanked Mervyn Whyte and Gerard McAuley for their presentation. The Director advised that the matter can be discussed further under the Leisure Services part of the Agenda.

* Mervyn Whyte, Gerard McAuley, Respresentatives NW200, left the meeting at 7pm. * Director of Central and Leisure Services left the meeting at 7pm. * Director of Borough Services arrived at the meeting at 7pm.

Discussion of this item is recorded in the minutes at 380.12.

380.2 MINUTES LAC 379 – 21st December 2010.

It was proposed by Councillor Stevenson, seconded by Alderman Cousley, MBE and AGREED:

to recommend that the minutes of meeting no LAC 379 – 21st December 2010, be confirmed as a correct record.

2.1 MATTERS ARISING Riverside Park Path Collapse (379.13) Councillor Stevenson requested an update on the above. The Director stated that work was due to commence Monday 24th January. Members are asked to note that the underpass at the bridge at Rodeing Foot may be closed during the early part of this week. 2.2 PROPOSED CANOE CAMPSITE (379.15) Councillor Robinson queried whether Planning Permission would be in place for the proposed canoe campsite near 94 Macfin Road, for the summer season. The Director clarified that he had to have further discussions with CAAN, Council are

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submitting a planning application on CAAN’s behalf, merely fronting the application, which is regularising something that has been occurring for years on private land. AMENITIES 380.3 CLOUGHMILLS PLAY AREA As members are aware this matter has been discussed previously by Committee. Councillors Finlay and McLaughlin are now a position to report on their consultation with residents.

IT IS RECOMMENDED that Committee again consider the issue and make a recommendation to Council.

Councillor Finlay informed Committee that he had spoken to Strand Park residents, concluding that whilst residents in the immediate vicinity of the play area are not against a play area, unfortunately they are against the anti social behaviour associated with the play area in its present location at night. Councillor McLaughlin concurred with Councillor Finlay’s comments, stating that he had also spoken to residents in the vicinity of the play area and these residents are adamant that the play area is an area where anti-social behaviour takes place. He also stated that whilst this was the general feeling of people in that specific area, it was not the feeling of all of the residents of Cloughmills.

Councillor McCamphill having again spoken to the Cloughmills Community Action Team (CAT) which had carried out a survey of residents advised that he had concluded that only a few residents surrounding the play area have a problem with it. In his view the present play area ought to be refurbished as it was a better proposition than moving the play area to the Council’s Old Mill site as residents had expressed reservations about allowing their children to go to this area themselves.

Councillor Cavlan suggested that were the play area at the present site to be refurbished, surrounded by a high fence and locked up at night would this not resolve the problem as this is the arrangement which Council facilitiated at the behest of Castle Community Association and since there has not been any reported incidents of anti-social behaviour.

The Director reminded members of the correspondence which had been received from the Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and also the representations made by CAT regarding the lack of satisfactory play facilities in Cloughmills. He suggested to members that if neither of the locations were acceptable for the various reasons discussed was there a location within the village envelope on which all might agree?

Councillor Robinson queried whether residents where ever asked if a play area with a high fence would be a suitable option to serve the needs of the community. Councillor McLaughlin commented that it would not matter how high the fence was, this would not in his opinion resolve the issue. Councillor Robinson also queried if Councillor McCamphill knew whether CAT had any plans for external funding and was informed that although Rural Development Programme funding had been sought it could not be secured for a play park on land that did not belong to CAT.

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The Director advised that were Council to so decide that it was feasible for it to enter into a leasing agreement. Councillor McCamphill clarified that notwithstanding such an arrangement it was his view that Council should retain the responsibility for maintaining the play area.

The Director suggested that in order to progress the resolution of the issue that a meeting be convened between the members representing Bann Valley, representatives of CAT and the residents in the immediate vicinity of the present play area, together with PSNI reps to look at options.

It was proposed by Councillor Finlay, seconded by Councillor Robinson and AGREED:

to recommend to Council that the issue be progressed by convening a meeting involving the members representing Bann Valley, together with 2 representatives from Cloughmills Community Action Team, 2 resident representatives and PSNI personnel.

380.4 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Councillor Finlay requested that the following matters be placed on a future Committee agenda: i) Greengage Lane tunnel, ii) additional lighting at Riverside Park, and iii) propose a football pitch at Finvoy.

380.5 GLEBESIDE MUGA

This proposed project was tabled again at the last Committee meeting when it was agreed that the matter be deferred to the January meeting in order to give members time to consider the issue.

IT IS RECOMMENDED that Committee consider the matter and make a recommendation to Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Stevenson, seconded by Councillor Finlay:

to recommend that Council proceed with providing a Multi-Use Games Arena (MUGA) at Glebeside, financed out of money left over from Amenities Capital Projects budget 2010/11.

Councillor McCamphill queried whether Council would have control of any proposed MUGA. The Director advised that to progress the project would entail cost not budgeted for and also asked that consideration be given to the issues that he had previously raised in respect of other projects and this, namely how the Council’s interest in its major capital investment was to be better protected as an internal audit report had indicated needed to be done and given the proximity of setting next year’s budget that the necessary revenue costs Council would inevitably have to incur following the provision of new facilities be allowed for. Councillor Robinson considered that because of the economic downturn Council may receive a more favourable price than project cost estimates.

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Councillor McCamphill proposed to defer the item until the community buildings projects were finalised as it would then be known if any money would be left after that.

It was proposed by Councillor Stevenson, seconded by Councillor Finlay and AGREED:

to recommend that Council agree, in principle, subject to finance and costings permitting, to progress a Multi-Use Games Arena (MUGA) at Glebeside, that plans be drawn up and planning permission progressed.

* Councillor Finlay left the meeting at 8.12pm. * Councillor Stevenson left the meeting at 8.12pm.

380.6 AMENITIES PROJECTS 2010-2011

It is understood that Planning Service has indicated that it is minded to approve the `streamlined’ applications made by Council in respect of the provision of community buildings/facilities at Ballybogey and Stranocum. It is believed, that given the assistance of Balnamore PS, that approval will also be forthcoming in respect of the Council’s `streamlined’ application for Balnamore.

IT IS RECOMMENDED that Committee determine what action it wishes Council now to take.

During the ensuing discussion, the Director advised that in his opinion Council ought now to seek tenders from its select list contractors for the three community building projects being considered.

It was proposed by Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Halliday and AGREED:

to recommend that Council continue to progress to tendering stage 3 No. Amenities Projects namely; (i) Community Building at Balnamore, (ii) Community Building at Stranocum, and (iii) Refurbishment of Community Building at Ballybogey, together with necessary car parking provision.

380.7 DERVOCK 2012 OLYMPIC INITIATIVE

Council on 14th December agreed that in order to progress this issue that it would seek to work with Dervock & District Community Association by establishing a joint Working Group.

Correspondence was received on 10th January which intimated –

 “As an Association we are very pleased to join forces with Ballymoney Borough Council and contribute fully to a working group”; and

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 That DADCA would be represented by David McKeown, Frank McLernon and Frankie Cunningham.

IT IS RECOMMENDED that Committee now determine dates and times that can be put to the Association for the inaugural meeting of the joint Working Group.

As the relevant members present were not in a position to indicate which dates suited them it was agreed that the Director would liaise with the Bushvale representatives in order to come up with a couple of alternatives to put to the Association for the inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group.

380.8 BALLYMONEY FESTIVE LIGHTING SCHEME

The above scheme has been mentioned in the context of the ongoing process of determining the Council’s budget for 2011-2012. As members are aware the Festive Lighting Scheme for Ballymoney Town has comprised the provision of decorative lighting via strings and a smaller number of features of the town centre core primarily. Decorative lighting is erected on –

High Street (part), Main Street, Meetinghouse Street (part), Castle Street (part), Queen Street, Victoria Street, Market Street (part), Linenhall Street and Charles Street.

IT IS RECOMMENDED that Committee consider the extent and type of scheme (if any) it wishes for Ballymoney and make recommendation to Council.

The Director responded to member questions, explaining the process of putting up and taking down of the lights and that the cost of electricity was shared between Council and the Chamber.

* Councillor Stevenson returned to the meeting at 8.30pm. * Councillor McCamphill left the meeting at 8.40pm.

It was proposed by Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Patterson and AGREED:

to recommend that Council defer any decision on the Ballymoney Festive Lighting Scheme, giving each of the Parties time to bring forward suggestions for what they would like for the Christmas Lighting Scheme to next months’ Committee meeting.

380.9 BALLYMONEY CEMETERY MEMORIAL

Application has been received as undernoted for the erection of a memorial in Ballymoney Cemetery.

Section I3 No. 112 Black Polished ‘OG’ design Headstone & Base.

IT IS RECOMMENDED that Council grant permission for the above memorial to be erected in Ballymoney Cemetery, subject to usual requirements.

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It was proposed by Councillor Robinson, seconded y Councillor Patterson and AGREED:

to recommend that Council grant permission for the above memorial to be erected in Ballymoney Cemetery, subject to usual requirements.

380.10 BALLYMONEY CONNECT2 PROJECT

During the report period substantial work has been undertaken in order to finalise contract documentation in respect of the footbridge and associated elements of the above project on which Translink, in accordance with the MoU signed by the respective parties (Council, Translink, Sustrans) will lead. The project remains on track with the contractor appointed by Translink expected to commence work in April 2011 and the work completed by September 2011. It has been agreed that to facilitate the construction work part of the Council’s Riverside Park would be given over to the contractor for the duration of the contract on condition that the land utilized would be fully reinstated (as happened recently when work was undertaken on behalf of Translink to the station itself).

Members are asked to note that also under the terms of the project MoU which Council has committed to the following elements will also be progressed by Council in order that the full scheme, in receipt of Heritage Lottery Funding, is realised by September 2011 –

 connection of the Greenway to the JDLC entrance (by surface marking & signage) plus bike parking;

 improving extant accesses to the Greenway from both Shandon Park and Cherry Gardens;

 alterations to Greenway/lane crossovers; and

 removal of the path within Riverside Park which connects with Crossing XL120 (which is to be closed permanently).

Now that there is clarity as to this project’s end date, a small budget will be proposed as part of the 2011-2012 rate setting process.

380.11 HEAD OF AMENITIES

Mr Gareth Doyle took up his employment with Council as its Head of Amenities on 4th January 2011.

* Director of Borough Services left the meeting at 8.55pm * Director of Central and Leisure Services arrived at the meeting at 8.55pm.

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LEISURE SERVICES

380.12 PRESENTATION – NORTH WEST 200

The Director reminded members that the Coleraine and District Motorcycle Club had requested continued sponsorship of the North West 200 and had also requested Council to consider another 3-year arrangement.

Councillor Robinson stated that the NW200 event was very beneficial for the community as expressed by local traders, the town benefits greatly from the event and if Ballymoney withdrew its support would not serve Ballymoney well. In general principle Council should support and sponsor the event. A number of members agreed that Ballymoney greatly benefited from the North West 200.

It was proposed by Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Patterson and AGREED:

to recommend that Council continue to support, in principle, the NW200 and that Party Groups bring their recommendations on any increase to the current £10,000 sponsorship to the Rates Estimates meeting together with their recommendation on a further 3-year agreement.

380.13 GOOD RELATIONS GRANTS

The following application for grant was considered:

(i) Glebe Rangers Football Club for assistance towards an Evening of Ulster Scots Music & Entertainment. Amount requested £350.00

IT IS RECOMMENDED that a grant of £350.00 is made to Glebe Rangers Football Club.

It was proposed by Councillor Stevenson, seconded by Councillor Patterson and AGREED:

to recommend that Council grant £350 to Glebe Rangers Football Club for assistance towards an Evening of Ulster Scots Music & Entertainment.

380.14 GOOD RELATIONS SUB - COMMITTEE

The Director advised that the Council at its meeting in December 2010 approved the re-appointment of the Good Relations Sub – Committee with the following membership – 3 DUP, 2 SF, 2 UUP, 1 SDLP and 1 TUV, with Party Leaders advising the Director of its members.

Party Leaders are requested to let the Director of Central and Leisure Services have their nominations.

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380.15 CAUSEWAY MUSEUM SERVICE

The Causeway Museum Service (CMS), representing Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and Moyle Council was established in 1996. The current Memorandum of Agreement expires on 31st March 2011.

The Councils contribution to the Causeway Museum Service for 2010/11 is £18,460.00. A breakdown of the contribution was circulated, together with the detail of the Ballymoney Museum Budget for 2010/11.

The Councils contribution to the Causeway Museum Service in 2009/10 was £18,460.00, however, Council in the year did not budget for the full amount of the contribution.

Members’ comments are invited regarding Council’s position.

A discussion ensued.

The Director advised members that Coleraine Borough Council (CBC) had funded a review of the Causeway Museum Service, but was not aware when the findings would be presented to the CMS Committee.

Councillor Robinson, current Chairperson, CMS, advised members that May 2010 was the date of the last committee meeting but that she would call a meeting of the Causeway Museum Service Committee.

* Councillor Patterson left the meeting at 9.10pm during consideration of the above matter.

The Director advised that the Causeway Museum Service had delivered a number of projects in the Borough under the PEACE III Programme and that there was likely to be a Phase 2 of PEACE III.

Councillor Robinson suggested that the Director obtain information on the CMS Review in order to ascertain if the Service is beneficial and provides value for money.

It was proposed by Alderman Cousley, seconded by Councillor Cavlan and AGREED:

to recommend that Council defer any decision on the Causeway Museum Service contribution so that additional information may be obtained on the Causeway Museum Service Review.

380.16 BALLYMONEY MOTORCYCLE SHOW - REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Ballymoney Motorcycle Show is to be held in the Leisure Centre on 4th & 5th March 2011.

The organisers have requested financial support with the cost of hiring the Leisure Centre facilities. The Council in the past has financially supported the show.

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The organisers have extended an invitation to all the members of Council to the show.

It was proposed by Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Cavlan and AGREED:

to recommend that Council grant £850 to Ballymoney Motorcycle Show as assistance towards the cost of hiring the halls at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre for the Show on 4th and 5th March 2011.

This being all the business the meeting closed at 9.40pm.

Appendix A: Presentation NW200.

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APPENDIX A: NW 200 PRESENTATION

The International History North West 200 • International profile event for Northern Ireland • Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event • Generates significant economic activity & media interest • Week long event, “the NW200 experience” • 80 years of

Data provided by; TTC Tourism & Transport Consult Economic Impact of The North West 200 reaches out Economics International North West 200, August 2010 across the world… • £700, 000 to stage the NW200 • Largely funded through sponsorship & programme sales • Individual race sponsorship on average £14k • Spectators – 90,000 • Half of these from the 3 local Council areas • Estimated 11,000+ from Ballymoney Borough • Financial, social and cultural benefits for the whole area • Impact on the NI economy estimated at £7.79m • Local economy £5.13m

The NW200 & NW200 Online… • NW200 website BBC Sport NI – Includes Ballymoney Borough Council logo • Contract with BBC Sport NI – Museum information – Races filmed & broadcast live throughout Ireland & – Dunlop Memorial Gardens details UK behind the red button •Detailed event information •Almost 400,000 viewers over the week of the event •Sponsors information •Visitor guides with information on •Web Viewing Figures travel, accommodation and ‘things to – 200,000 Viewers from 87 different Countries do’ – Live streaming to the BBC NW200 website •An interactive experience for all •BBC Newsline covers all press conferences & users broadcasts regular features • The site received 1.8 million hits – More than 500,000 viewers watched the NW200 during Race Week preview and highlights programme in NI • The site has received 19 million hits – Over 1million watched material on BBC Newsline since its launch during Race Week

Ballymoney Borough Council & the NW200 • Strong and proactive relationship • Sponsorship of the Super Sport Race • Growing the success of Race Week Festival • 50,000 race week leaflets printed & distributed throughout Ireland & the rest of the world • Leaflet includes details of the Museum & the Dunlop Memorial Gardens • Coleraine & District Motor Club Ltd draw commercial strength from the partnership • Crucial funding has contributed to the staging and sustainability of event until present time • Ballymoney & Armoy synonymous with road racing & the NW200

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The Involvement of Ballymoney Borough Council • Benefits • 90,000+ spectators • PR & Media impact of this international event • Press coverage @ BBC Studios • Ballymoney Borough Council logo on the “Big Screen” • Branding on the course • Major contribution to the local economy • Local jobs • Tourism A major partner of the NW200

• Seen as part of our culture

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